tracked winner, no impression before halfway, jumped right last 4 fences, never dangerous
made all, soon clear, unchallenged
NonRunner
NonRunner
NonRunner
Top Wood has been in good form between the flags since joining Kelly Morgan and his fitness is guaranteed whereas his rivals have all had a break. But GALWAY JACK won this under similar circumstances last year and a repeat may be on the cards as Wells De Lune, who won a handicap here last season, has no form over this longer trip. Treat Yourself won a handicap at Newcastle back in April but he was much better on faster surfaces when trained by Micky Hammond. Auldthunder is even harder to fancy.
Auldthunder (IRE) 12-1 (11-0) Tracked front pair, went 2nd 3 out, driven and lost place before last, soon weakened, 5th of 7, dist behind Petiville (11-0) at Hexham 2m 7f (3) gd in Jun.
Galway Jack (IRE) 7-4 (12-8) Made all, pressed from 3 out until kept on well from last, won at Southwell 2m 4f (6) gd in May beating Open Hearted (12-4) by 3 1/2l, 4 ran.
Top Wood (FR) 4-5fav (11-0) (cp) (tt) a.p; led 8-13; led 15; clr 2 out; rdn out, won at Chaddesley Corbett 3m sft in Dec beating Mon Parrain (11-0) by 10l, 10 ran.
Wells De Lune (FR) 6-1 (12-0) Led, soon clear, headed before 4 out, soon weakened, 5th of 8, 30 1/4l behind Captain Redbeard (11-7) at Wetherby 2m 3f hcp (3) gs in Jan.
Treat Yourself (IRE) 15-2 (11-10) Held up towards rear, pushed along before 12th, headway before 3 out, in 4th before last, kept on same pace, 4th of 10, 11 1/2l behind Dica (11-7) at Hexham 2m 4f hcp (5) gd in Jun.
